Maldini furious with Rafael Leao over sudden U-turn
AC Milan and Rafael Leao are set to part ways this summer after a total clash that has happened in recent days.
The agreement for the contract renewal of Rafael Leao was considered just a matter of time. Paolo Maldini himself admitted that the club was very optimistic that an agreement would be found with the Portuguese left winger wanting to stay at AC Milan. The situation has changed dramatically in the last days leaving Maldini furious with the actions of Rafael Leao and his entourage.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there is high tension at the club with AC Milan getting tired from the continuous “ballets” of Leao. AC Milan had offered the Portuguese ace a long-term contract of €7.5 million per season plus €1.2 million in add-on. The player had said yes but suddenly everything changed.
The entourage of 23-year-old winger asked that the release clause of Rafael Leao to be halved to €70 million. A demand that the Rossoneri had no intention to accept. Deeply disappointed with what had happened, Maldini had a conversation with the player himself. The AC Milan technical director wanted to hold Leao accountable for what had happened.
Maldini also tried to push Leao to change his mind but the meeting did not bring the desired results. Internal sources at the club confirm that talks are interrupted ever since. The management fears that Leao’s recent U-turn is influenced by Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese, who is not officially Leao’s agent, wants to move the 23-year-old out of San Siro this summer.
What has just happened is considered shocking by AC Milan. The Rossoneri were about to make Rafael Leao the second highest player in Serie A, only after Paul Pogba. The Italian champions feel they have done their absolute best to match the economic demands of Leao but halving his release clause is not an option. Lowering the release clause considerably was considered the top priority by the player and his family concludes Gazzetta.
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